Effects of prenatal care on twin gestations.

Twin pregnancies are known to have a higher risk of prematurity, uteroplacental insufficiency and increased perinatal mortality. An almost universally held tenet is that prenatal care is helpful in reducing those risks. In an attempt to support that belief, the records of all twins delivered at R. E. Thomason General Hospital between 1982 and 1985 were reviewed. Thirty-seven twin pregnancies received appropriate antepartum care, and 25 did not. There were statistically significant differences in the perinatal mortality rate of the clinic patients (68/1,000) versus the nonclinic patients (160/1,000). Also, significant differences were demonstrated between the mean birth weights: 2,007 g in the nonclinic group and 2,546 in the clinic group. The results suggest that intensive prenatal care in twin gestations promotes fetal growth and improves perinatal outcome.